4-H girls represent Arenac County at state competition

Rebecca Beckers navigates her horse, Zippy Yahoo, around obstacles at a 4-H competition in East Bansing.

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By John FischerStaff Writer

Posted
9/17/08

LANSING — On August 23, Amanda Seder, 19, and Rebecca Beckers, 20, took part in the annual state 4-H competition held in Lansing each year on Michigan State University’s campus.

Seder currently works on the family farm as she is in the process of taking over at the helms.

This year’s competition was the first for the Alger native and her 11-year-old quarter horse Melvin, as they vied in four events – Showmanship, Western Equitation, Western Pleasure and Trail. Seder took home a third place finish in Trail and a fifth place finish in Western Pleasure.

“It was a lot of fun,” Seder said. “I got to meet a lot of people and the weather was nice.”

Beckers, currently attending Central Michigan University, made her third trip to the state competition. The Omer native and her 12-year-old quarter horse Zippy Yahoo, placed in each event – Hunter Hack (4th), English Equitation (5th), Western Equitation (2nd) and Trail (1st and State Grand Champion).

Previously the Standish-Sterling graduate, who’s always had strong parental support, had placed in events, most notably a state reserve champion in Trail, but hadn’t seen the success as she did in this year’s affair.

“I’m very happy with where I placed,” Beckers said. “It’s kind of exciting when you’re older because you get to ride in the indoor pavilion (whereas younger competitors ride on the outside courses).”

Arenac County 4-H Director Lori Marx acknowledged that the event is always extraordinarily competitive and that the girls, as well as the community, should be proud of their accomplishments.

“It’s good to represent your county any time you can,” Marx said. “Both of the girls are such hard workers and I’m so happy for them.”